FBI Investigates Man's Claim of Terrorist Plot to Attack Las Vegas

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, June 22, 2002

FBI Investigates Man's Claim of Terrorist Plot to Attack Las Vegas

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

United States federal investigators are investigating a businessman's claim that a groupof Arab terrorists might launch an attack in the gambling city of Las Vegas, Nevada, reports from the city said Friday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday will interview Michael Hamdan, a Lebanese immigrant, again on his claimthat he picked up a conversation in Arabic on his cell phone during which a group of Arab speakers talked about a "hit" on the "day of freedom," or the July 4 U.S. Independence Day.

"We've initiated a full-scale investigation to determine if this constitutes a threat, and if so, what kind of threat," said FBI Special Agent Daron Borst in Las Vegas.

Borst said FBI agents had already interviewed Hamdan several times after he reported the conversation to the FBI last Sunday, and planned to question him again Friday.

Hamdan, 54, reportedly told the FBI that he tried to call his wife with cell phone last Saturday when he was driving down Las Vegas Boulevards. But he heard voices speaking Arabic with an accent from the Gulf area when he did not get through to his wife.

The Arabic speakers were quoted by Hamdan as saying that they are going to "hit" Las Vegas, "the city of corruption, the city of prostitution, the city of gambling, the city of unbelievers" onthe "day of freedom."

Hamdan said the call lasted about 90 seconds before the line went dead. He said he was shocked and reported the conversation tothe local FBI early Sunday Morning.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Bill Clinton Has Unexpectedly Become a 'Sweet Cake' ( 15 Messages)

Englishman Hired as Chief Advisor of Yunnan Provincial Government ( 16 Messages)

Two S.Korean Girls Run Over by US Armored Vehicle ( 55 Messages)

Uncle Sam's Policy to Cross-Straits Ties against Its Own Interests ( 5 Messages)

Home-made Auto Sales Head for 3 Million in 2002 ( 8 Messages)